How Oneida’s Students, Staff, and Community Are Adapting After a Devastating Flood
When a severe flood rendered Oneida High School unusable, the Oneida City School District swiftly devised a plan to keep nearly 500 students together and maintain education with minimal disruption. The district’s solution was to repurpose the old Bishop Grimes school building for the 2025-2026 school year. This blog post explains the district’s measures—from transportation logistics to schedule adjustments—while exploring the community’s mixed feelings and the remarkable efforts to support extracurricular activities and sports. The comprehensive plan reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that students continue learning, despite the challenges.
The Bishop Grimes Relocation: What’s Changing and Why
Following extensive flood damage in June 2025, Oneida High School was declared unusable due to severe electrical and structural damage. In response, Superintendent Matthew Carpenter explained, “We’re not going to make everyone happy, and we have to do the best we can to provide instruction for our nearly 500 kids and try to keep the school day as close to normal as possible, and worry about our staff and everything else outside and above all that.” The district chose the Bishop Grimes campus in East Syracuse because it offers the space and facilities needed to serve all high school students under one roof.
The relocation entails several significant changes. First, transportation logistics require daily trips covering a 50-mile round trip. To ensure safety, yellow bus service will be provided for all students, though parents may opt to drive if they prefer. Second, the start of the school day will be adjusted from 7:45 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. to allow extra time for commuting. While these alterations may inconvenience some families, they are necessary to sustain a sense of normalcy during these turbulent times.
Financial Impact: Navigating Emergency Funding and Budget Concerns
The unexpected closure of Oneida High School has created substantial financial challenges. The district had not budgeted for such an emergency, and the Board of Education has approved emergency funding to cover the costs of leasing the Bishop Grimes campus, managing transportation, and initiating the repairs needed for Oneida High School.
The unplanned expenses have raised concerns among taxpayers. While no official tax increases have been announced, there is growing apprehension that these costs could lead to higher local taxes in the future. Local residents are watching closely as the district works to secure additional funds from state and local sources. Despite these challenges, officials remain determined to provide an uninterrupted educational experience for every student.
Superintendent Carpenter emphasized that every decision is made with the students’ best interests in mind. The district’s proactive approach to unexpected costs and its transparent communication with parents have helped lay the groundwork for community understanding and support despite the financial strains.
Community Voices: Balancing Concerns and Support
The relocation to Bishop Grimes has elicited a spectrum of reactions from parents, students, and community leaders. Some parents express frustration over the extra commute and the disruption to their children’s familiar routines. MJ Schenandoah, a single mother of five, remarked, “It’s already difficult enough for me to do pick-ups and drop-offs, and now we’re adding a trip to Syracuse. I believe I will be pulling my son out for homeschool, unfortunately.” Parents of seniors, too, are grappling with emotions; one parent noted, “I have a daughter who’s going to be graduating. She’s not going to be walking through the high school again.”
On the other hand, many community members understand the necessity of swift action. Brenda Hall, another parent, stated, “I’m trusting they’re going to make the best decision based on the information they have. They know these children; they’ve been with them for years.” The commitment from district leadership resonates with many, as Superintendent Carpenter affirmed, “We want to make the best out of a bad situation so that we can go forward and give them the best opportunities.”
Community forums and public meetings have provided valuable platforms for these voices. Although the discussions reveal significant concerns about the logistics and financial impacts, they also highlight a shared commitment to preserving the quality of education and the well-being of students.
Managing Sports, Extracurricular Activities, and Community Partnerships
Ensuring Continuity in Education and Athletics
While academic instruction remains the top priority, the district recognizes that sports and extracurricular activities are essential to student development and community spirit. At Bishop Grimes, available sports facilities will allow most athletic programs to continue. Fall sports will primarily take place on Oneida’s outdoor fields. However, challenges remain—especially for evening games where non-functional lighting limits scheduling. Despite these obstacles, the district is determined to maintain robust extracurricular programs.
Creative Solutions and Local Support
To overcome logistical hurdles, Oneida City School District is engaging local organizations and community partners. Collaborations with community centers, sports clubs, and local nonprofits have emerged as creative workarounds, providing additional venues for practices and games. Such partnerships not only mitigate transportation challenges but also bolster community bonds. Local businesses have stepped forward to sponsor events and help cover transportation costs, demonstrating a collective commitment to education and youth programs.
Moreover, collaborations with nearby colleges have just begun, creating opportunities for students to participate in joint academic and extracurricular initiatives. These partnerships are designed to ensure that even in temporary relocation, students experience a rich and varied educational environment—one that supports both their studies and athletic pursuits.
Student Involvement and Engagement
In efforts to ease the transition, school officials are actively including students in the process. Organized campus tours, interactive forums, and regular updates help alleviate worries and foster a sense of ownership among students. Such initiatives encourage students to view the change not merely as a disruption but as a unique opportunity to adapt and grow.
Looking Ahead: Repair Timelines and Community Resilience
The long-term plan for Oneida High School involves an extensive repair process. The damage includes submerged electrical systems, compromised fire alarms, and boiler malfunctions, all of which will take time and significant investment to resolve. While emergency funding has provided immediate relief, the district continues to pursue additional financial support to expedite repairs and maintain safety standards.
Throughout this crisis, Oneida’s community has demonstrated remarkable resilience. From public meetings to hands-on support from local businesses, every stakeholder is working together to turn a challenging situation into a path forward. Continued transparency from district officials and robust community engagement are key factors that will determine the success of this extensive recovery and relocation plan.
A Call to Community Action
The Oneida City School District’s decision to move high school operations to the Bishop Grimes campus is a powerful example of leadership under pressure. Despite facing unprecedented challenges—from logistical nightmares to financial uncertainty—the unified goal remains clear: ensuring every student receives a quality education.
As Superintendent Matthew Carpenter reminded the community, “Don’t allow this to slow you down.” His words encapsulate a spirit of determination and resilience that is now a part of Oneida’s story. We invite community members, educators, and interested readers to join the conversation. Share your thoughts, ask questions, or offer suggestions in the comments below. Let’s work together to support our children and build a stronger, more resilient educational community for the future.
